Carolina Country Music Festival Coming to Myrtle Beach

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With apologies to Nashville, the Sun Fun Capital of Myrtle Beach will double as the Country Music USA for three days in June when the Carolina Country Music Festival comes to the town.

The inaugural event will be held June 5-7 in the heart of the downtown district on the site of the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion. More than 20,000 country music fans are expected to pack the old Pavilion site to see some of the biggest names in country music take the stage for a three-day throw down on the beach.

The star-studded lineup was already enough to create a huge buzz among country music fans as the early block of pre-sale tickets sold out in a matter of days. But promoters have added even more big names to the bill, creating one of the most impressive outdoor festivals on the country music circuit this season.

Top artists such as Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum and Eric Church were recently added to the initial headliners like Big & Rich and Colt Ford, Cole Swindell, Hunter Hayes, Kellie Pickler, the Davisson Brothers and the Georgia Satellites, just to name a few. Thirty-five bands in all will share the stage for 72 hours.

“The addition of these fantastic artists proves that this festival is going to a big hit for both country music fans and the entire Myrtle Beach area,” Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brad Dean said.”Early ticket sales have been phenomenal, and we are pleased that so many will be making their way to the Grand Strand to kick off what is shaping up to be a wonderful summer tourist season.”

Organizers chose Myrtle Beach over several proposed host cities, but the Grand Strand's status as major vacation destination with plenty of hotels, attractions and restaurants made it the obvious choice. The venue on the old Pavilion site, which used to be the hub of activity downtown, only added to the appeal.

The timing of the Carolina Country Music Festival will make it the kickoff of the summer tourism season as thousand will venture to Myrtle Beach for the musical feast. The response, both from the excitement generated and tickets sold, reaffirms the decision to bring the concert to the Grand Strand, according to Full House Productions president Bob Durkin, who is hosting the event.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response,” Durkin said. “To sell out of pre-sale and early bird three-day general admission tickets proves that country music fans are excited, and agree that Myrtle Beach is the perfect location for the Carolina Country Music Fest. With the addition of headliners Eric Church, Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts, this event is guaranteed to be the premiere country music event of the Southeast.”

As longtime Myrtle Beach visitors already know, concert-goers will have much more to do than listen to music during the three-day festival. The venue is within walking distance of the beach and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, a 1.2-mile stretch of walkway along the oceanfront that leads to some of the top attractions, dining, shopping and nightlife that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

Located on the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Ninth Avenue North, the old Pavilion site may host more concerts and festivals in the future, including annual installments of the Carolina Country Music Fest, organizers hope. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or beach blanket for general admission seating. VIP seating also is available.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.CarolinaCountryMusicFest.com, with VIP options available. For accommodations or more information about Myrtle Beach, go to www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com.  One-, two-, and three-day passes are currently available at www.CarolinaCountryMusicFest.com.

 

(Posted: 4/16/15)